Railroad switch and signal mechanism.



No. 808,157. PATENTED DEC. 26, 1905. G. M. HURST.

RAILROAD SWITCH AND SIGNAL MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 7, 1904.

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No. 808,157. PATENTBD DEC. 26, 1905. 0. M. HURST.

RAILROAD SWITCH AND SIGNAL MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 7. 1904.

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Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 26, 1905.

Application filed January '7, 1904- Serial No. 188,045.

To all wlwnt it nuty concern:

Be it known that 1, CHARLES M. HURST, a citizen of theUnited States, and a resident of Rawlins, county of Carbon, and State of W'yoming, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Railroad Switch and Signal Mechanism, of which the following is a specification and which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, forming a part thereof.

This invention relates to improvements in that class of railroad-switches in which the movable rail-sections or signals are operated through the medium of a suitable connection leading from trips which are so located that they may be engaged by a suitable contacting member carried by the passing engine or car.

The object of the invention is to simplify the construction of such mechanisms and to provide one that shall be compact in form, effective in operation, and so arranged that its action will be positive and yet offering as little resistance as the nature of its operation and the work performed thereby will permit.

The invention also has for its object to provide in a switch and signal shifting and looking mechanism a connection which is automatically restored to its normal position after each operation and so disposed that the switch or signal may be thrown from one position to another by an approaching tram' regardless of the direction of travel and be securely locked against accidental displacement.

The invention consists of the arrangement and combination of parts hereinafter described, specifically pointed out in the appended claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a plan view of the improved switch and signal operating mechanism. Fig. 2 is a plan view, on an enlarged scale, of the oppositely-reciprocating shifting slidebars employed in shifting the switch or signal, the top of the case being removed. Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal section through the casing, the mechanism being shown mainly in elevation, but partly in section. Fig. 4 is the same as Fig. 2, the parts being shown in different position. Fig. 5 is a transverse section on the line 5 5 of Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a detail of the switch and signal throwing and locking member. Fig. 7 is a sectional detail of one of the shifting slide-bars shown in Figs. 2, 3, 4, and 5. Fig. 8 is a detail elevation of one form of trip. Fig. 9 is a detail plan of the same. Fig. 10 is a detail of the handlever which may be employed to control the shifting mechanism, and Fig. 11 is a detail of the shoe for engaging the trip.

In Fig. 1 is shown a railroad-switch, the main track-rails being seen at 15, the sidingrails' at 16, and the movable rail-sections at 17, the latter being connected by the usual transverse shifting-bar 18. Mounted on the cross-ties at the side of the main-line rails 15 and parallel thereto and adjacent to one end of the bar 18 is a casing 19, which is provided with a removable top 20 and openings at the opposite ends thereof. This casing is designed to inolose the shifting mechanism for moving the bar 18. The shifting mechanism comprises a pair of longitudinally-reciprocating independently-movable bars 21 22. The slide-bars 21 22 reciprocate simultaneously in opposite directions, and in the structure here shown and described movement imparted to one is communicated to the other through the medium of a connecting lever or link 25, pivoted at 23 between the bars and having a slot 26 at each end, which engages a pin 27, projecting from the adjacent slidebar, the slots permitting necessary play of the parts incident to the movement of the bars in right lines, the link swinging about a center. Motion is communicated from the the slide-bars 21 and 22 to the bridle or switch bar 18 through the medium of a member 28, carried by the pivot-pin 23 and having a crank-arm 32, which is connected to the bar 18 by means of a link 33. The member 28 has its ends forked, as shown at 29 30, the ends inclosing extensions of. the-pivot-pins 27, which are provided with antifriction-rollers 31. The inner faces of the forked members 29 30 are preferably straight, and the parts are so proportioned and disposed that when the slide-bars 21 22 are shifted to their extreme positions, throwing the switch either to the open or closed position, the forked arms 29 or 30, acted upon by the pins 27, are parallel with the direction of movement of the slide-bars, as shown in Figs. 2 and 4, so that the switch remains locked against accidental displacement by any force acting directly upon it or upon its bridle-bar. The end portions of the slide-bars 21 22 are in contact, and their upper faces are recessed from their inner edges, as shown at 34, such recess being V-shaped and their side walls forming an obtuse angle. At the apex of this angle the recess is deepened to form sockets 35 36, having an abrupt wall or shoulder facing away irom the end of the bar and an inclined wall leading from this shoulder. The recesses 34 of the two bars are so disposed that when the bars are in their extreme positions (shown in Figs. 2 and 4) the end of one recess is approximately opposite the angle of the other, so that the outer side wall of one recess and the inner side wall of the other recess co6perate to form a channel or way leading to the sockets 3536.

A bar 37, pivoted at 38 to a pull-rod 39, projecting outwardly through the end of the casing 20, projects over the ends 01' the slide bars -21 22 and-has at its inner end a downwardly-turned hook 40, which runs in the ways formed by the side walls of the recesses 34 and engages in alternation the sockets 35 36, so that when the rod 39 is subject to tension it will draw with it the bar 21. or 22 with which the hook may be in engagement, the companion bar being of course moved in the opposite direction through the agency of the lever 25. The joint 38 permits the bar 37 to swing horizontally, and a oint 41 in the rod 39 allows it to swing vertically, so that its hook may fall into the sockets 35 36. An expansion-spring 42, reacting between a shoulder 43 near the inner end of the rod and the outerv end 44 of the box 20, moves the rod 39 inwardly when it is relieved from tension and carries the hook beyond the inner of the sockets 35 36, so that after the switch has been thrown to either position the shifting mechanism automatically adapts itself for the throwing of the switch to the opposite position when next actuated.

Both ends of the slide-bars 21 22 are alike, and the actuating-rods 39 and their appur tenances are duplicated, so as to provide for the control of the switch by a train approaching in either direction. Inasmuch as the hooks 40 are both normally in position to engage the inner recess 35 or 36, the action of one is not interfered with by the other.

A cable or simple wire 45 is attached to the outer end of the rod 39 and prolonged to any desired distance along the track and is attached to a trip mechanism disposed for engagement by a passing locomotive, so as to apply tension to the cable for shifting the switch. Such trip mechanism may be of any desired formas, for example, a verticallymovable bar 46, having at its upper end an antifriction-roller 47 and sliding in a box 48, a bell-crank having one 01 its arms 49 slotted and in engagement with a pin 50 on the bar 46 and having its other arm 51 attached to the wire 45. Downward movement of the bar 46 applies tension to the wire 45, drawing it against the resistance of the spring 42. The rod 46 being relieved from pressure is raised by the reaction of this spring. The

bell-crank arm 51 may be attached to the wire 45 by means of a link 52. A simple form of shoe 53 is shown as being adapted for attachment to a locomotive in any desired manner for engagement with the roller 47 of the bar 46.

In order that the switch may be controllable from the ground, a hand-lever 54 may be provided, being mounted upon a suitable stand 55, located either adjacent the track, as shown, or in a tower, (not shown,) as may be desired. The attachment between the hand-lever and the wire 45 may be made by means of any suitable form of linkand-lever device. As shown a simple bell-crank 56 is employed for this purpose. While the handlever 54 is shown as working over a quadrant 57, the latter is used simply as a guide, no stops being provided, as the lever is always returned to its original position by the action of the spring 42, as in the case of the bar 46.

When a shoe, as 53, is utilized for throwing the switch, it would be desirable to have the trips at opposite sides of the switch upon opposite sides of the track, and this may be provided for by connecting the wire 45 with a bell-crank 58, which in turn is connected, by means of a wire 59, with a bell-crank 60 upon the opposite side of the track, from which leads a wire 61 to the trip mechanism. In similar manner provision is made for controlling the switch from the siding, the wire 45 being attached to a bell-crank 62, which is connected, by means of a wire 63, leading across the main track in the siding, to a bell crank 64, from which'there leads a wire 65 to a trip mechanism 66.

If desired, an emergency device may be provided for insuring a closed switch for an approaching train. As shown, such device comprises a trip mechanism 67, preferably located upon the opposite side of the track from the trip 46 and more remote than such trip from the switch. From the trip 67 there leads a cable 68, which is connected, by means of the bell-cranks 69 and 70 and the cross-cable 71, with a cable or rod. 72, connected with one arm of a bell-crank 73, the other arm of which is provided with a pin 74, running in. a loop 75, pivotally carried by a bar 76, pivoted to a crank-arm 77, projecting fromthe lever 25. The pin 74 is normally so positioned in the loop 75 that it does not interfere with the free movement of the switch when actuated by means of the slide-bars 21 and 22. hen the switch is closed to the main track, as shown in Fig. 1, the pin 74 is at the outer end of the loop 75, so that action of the trip 67, applying tension to the wire 68, is without etlect other than simply to carry the pin to the opposite end of the loop, from which position it is immediately returned by the action of a spring 78 acting on the trip. hen the switch is open to the siding, the loop 75 is moved outwardly, so that the pin 74 is at its inner end. If new the trip 67 be IIO actuated, the switch is thrown so as to close it to the main track. In practice it is advisable to combine this emergency device with the switch-controlling mechanism hereinbefore described, locating the trip 67 farther from the switch than the trip 46. As a train approaches the emergency device will be actuated, closing the switch, if it be open, or being without effect on the switch, if it be closed. After the engineer has passed the emergency-trip if he desires to he may open the switch to the siding through the medium of the trip 46, it being understood that the shoe 53 or an equivalent device should be provided on the engine, which may be thrown into or out of effective position at the pleasure of the engineer. Inasmuch as no claim is made in this application for a controlling and controllable shoe, I have not deemed it necessary to show the details of a device of this kind.

The controlling mechanism herein shown and described is equally applicable for use in connection with signaling devices either in connection with switch-controlling mechanism or independently thereof. Such use of it is herein shown inconnection with the switch-controlling mechanism. The bar 76, which leads from the crank-arm 77 of the lever 25 and which has already been referred to as carrying the loop 75 of the emergency device, controls a switch-target 79 at the side of the track, being connected with the shaft thereof by means of a crank-arm 80, affixed thereto. The shaft of this signal is shown as provided with a handle-bar 81, by means of which both the target and the switch may be thrown. If desired, a second crank-arm 82 may project from the member 28, providing for the control of a second switch or signal device.

Among the advantages obtained by the use of the switch and signal controlling mechanism herein shown and described is economy of construction, in that a light wire may be utilized to lead from the actuating-lever to the shifting mechanism in place of the expensive rods or tubing now employed for that purpose and which are necessary, because the switch nust be actuated by either thrust or tension. Another advantage is found in the fact that expansion and contraction of the connecting mechanism need not be provided against or compensated for, inasmuch as the controlling-lever does not work be tween fixed stops and the spring for returning the parts to their normal position acts itself as a compensating device.

I do not herein claim, broadly, the oppositely-moving juxtaposed slidebars for actuating the switch or signal, such broad claim appearing in Letters Patent No. 7 64,292, issued to me July 5, 1904.

While I have shown the oscillating member 28 provided with a crank-arm for operating the switch-bar and having flaring recesses in its ends, and as being actuated by means of a pair of oppositely-moving slidebars having pins or studs engaging such recesses, I do not desire to be limited to this means for actuating a switch-bar crank of this character. It is obvious that if such a member were provided with a single recess and actuated by a reciprocating member having a stud engaging such recess the switch would be thereby automatically locked against any disturbing action applied to it or its bridle-bar. It is also, obvious that the efficiency of this automatically-locking mechanism is not dependent upon the means employed for actuating a reciprocating member by means of which it may be oscillated.

I claim as my invention 1. In a switch mechanism, in combination, a switch-bar, a pair of slidebars, a lever con necting the slide-bars, means for transmitting motion from the slidebars to the switchbar, a trip, and a connection operated by the trip for engaging the slidebars in alternation.

2. In a switch mechanism, in combination, a pair of oppositely-moving reciprocating slide-bars, means for actuating the bars, an

oscillating member having flaring recesses in its ends, pins on the bars engaging such recesses, a switch-bar, and connection between such bar and the oscillating member.

3. In a switch mechanism, in combination, a reciprocating member having a stud, a reciprocating switch moving transversely to the path of the first-named member, an oscillating member having a flaring recess engaged by the stud, the parts being so constructed and arranged that the advance wall of the recess in either direction of movement of the oscillating part is substantially parallel with the first-mentioned member when it reaches the limit of its movement.

4. In a switch mechanism, in combination, a reciprocating member having a stud, a reciprocating switch moving transversely to the path of the first-named member, and an oscillating member having a flaring recess engaged by the stud.

5. In a switchmechanism, in combination, an oscillating member having a flaring recess, a reciprocating part having a stud engaging the recess, means for actuating the reciprocating member, a switch-bar, and connection between the switch-bar and the oscilliaing member.

6. In a switch mechanism, in combination, a pair of juxtaposed sliding bars, a lever connecting the bars and having a crank-arm, a reciprocating bar connected with the crankarm, an oscillating member having flaring recesses in its ends and a laterally-projecting arm, studs on the slidebars engaging such recesses, and a switch-bar connected with the arm of the oscillating member.

' 7. In a switch mechanism, in combination,

a pair of parallel oppositely-moving slidebars, a reciprocating bar for engaging the slide-bars in alternation, means for applying pulling strain to the reciprocating bar, a spring opposing such strain, a switch-bar, and operative connection between the slidebars and the switch-bar.

8. In a switch mechanism, in combination, a pair of parallel juxtaposed slide-bars having their upper faces recessed from their con tacting edges, the side walls of the recesses being oblique to the edges of the bars, sockets at the juncture of such side walls, a lever connecting the slide-bars, a reciprocating hook running in the recesses of the bars, means for reciprocating the hook, a switch or signal bar, and connection between such bar and the slide-bars.

9. In a switch mechanism, in combination, a switch-bar, means for reciprocating the bar, a train-actuated trip for actuating the lastnamed means, independent means for mov ing the switch-bar in one direction, and a train-actuated trip for actuating such inclependent means.

10. In combination, a railwaytrack, a switch-bar, a trip adapted for engagement by a train, connection between the trip and switch-bar for throwing the latter in one direction, a second trip adapted for engagement by a train and located between the first-named trip and the switch-bar, and connection between the second-named trip and the switch-bar for throwing thelatter in opposition to the action of the first-mentioned trip.

11. In combination, a railway-track and a switch therein, a trip located beside the track and connected with the switch to close it, and a second trip located beside the track intermediate of the first-mentioned trip and the switch and connected with the switch to open it.

CHARLES M. HURST. Witnesses H. C. TUXBURY, J. S. MACDONALD. 

